Parveen Kaswan, a forest ranger serving in the Indian Foreign Service, shared a remarkable video last Friday showing Indian elephants conducting what appeared to be a human-like funeral ceremony for a baby elephant.

Kaswan’s video quickly went viral, captivating social media users worldwide who expressed deep amazement and sympathy toward the elephants' emotional behavior.

In the video, an adult elephant gently laid down the baby elephant’s body and stood watch over it, patiently waiting for more members of the herd to arrive. Soon, a procession of elephants walked in a line, reminiscent of a solemn funeral march, and gathered closely around the young elephant.

The first elephant then carefully lifted the baby elephant once again, with others following in a moving display of apparent mourning and respect. This touching ritual showcased a level of empathy and social bonding rarely witnessed in the animal kingdom.

Kaswan’s Twitter post attracted over 5,000 retweets and more than 12,000 likes, highlighting the powerful impact the video had on viewers across the globe.

Elephants have long been known to grieve their dead, exhibiting behaviors such as touching, guarding, and even covering the bodies of their deceased companions, much like humans do during funerals. This extraordinary event adds to the growing evidence of their emotional intelligence and complex social structures.

Many people found this display deeply moving, as it reveals the profound emotional capacity of these majestic creatures. How did this video affect you? We’d love to hear your thoughts and feelings in the comments below!